AGREEMENT ON ESTABLISHING MUSLIM CHAPLAIN POSITIONS IN BOSNIAN ARMED FORCES AND BOSNIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE SIGNED

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (September 12,2007) - The Bosnian Minister of Defense Selmo Cikotic and the leader of the Bosnian Islamic Community Reisu-l-Ulema Mustafa Ef. Cerić signed yesterday in Sarajevo Agreement on establishing the Muslim Chaplain positions, which will function as an essential part of the Bosnian Ministry of Defense’s Military Service and the Bosnian Armed Forces.

The Agreement was made by a workgroup, specifically formed by the Bosnian religious communities’ representatives, the Bosnian Council of Ministers, the Bosnian Army and the the Bosnian Ministry of Defense. The Agreement foresees formation of the Chaplin service at the Bosnian Ministry of Defense and the Bosnian Armed Forces.

”The Agreement signed today with the Islamic Community will be succeeded by agreements that will be signed with the Catholic and Orthodox churches. These agreements have already been aligned and will be signed during September”, Ahmed Hadziomeroovic, President of the Workgroup announced.The Bosnian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces’ Chaplain will enable the members of the Bosnian Army to practice their religious rights.

”The Agreement signed is highly important for the process of forming the Bosnian Armed Forces and for the entire political ambience in Bosnia. It is a confirmation of the traditional combination of Islam, Orthodox and Catholic religions, as well as other religions’ existence in this country”, Cikotic said.

The leader of the Bosnian Islamic Community Reisu-l-Ulema Mustafa Ef. Cerić called the agreement a historical event and emphasized its importance in the segment of claiming the basic human rights.

”This day is especially important for the Bosnian Armed Forces, This is the day of victory of the Bosnian Armed Forces and implementation of normal relations between the people”, Ceric said.

The Agreement will be put in force immediately.